The 1301 Tactical is Beretta’s newest gas-piston-operated, semi-automatic, 12 gauge shotgun designed for law enforcement and home defense. It features an 18.5-inch barrel, an oversized charging handle, a large textured bolt release and an oversized reversible safety. The 1301 Tactical features a protected ghost-ring sight system with an interchangeable front sight as well as a Picatinny rail on top of the receiver. With provided spacers, the stock is adjustable for length of pull, drop and cast.
Chiappa Firearms is now offering a high-quality, lower-priced semi-auto shotgun with five choke tubes and a hard case ready to go to the field or range. Available in black, turkey, waterfowl and tactical editions, the CA612 features an inertia-driven rotary bolt action for smooth, consistent operation. The Chiappa CA612 12 gauge is a great choice for a reliable semi-auto shotgun that will perform well in every condition.
The MKA 1919 Match from EAA Corp. is a semi-automatic, five-round-magazine-fed, AR-style shotgun that functions with 2¾- and 3-inch 12-gauge shells. The Match now offers improvements that include an ambidextrous safety, an extended bolt release, an extended magazine release and a redesigned action (bolt, locking block and action bar). The MKA 1919 Match also has a metal floating feed ramp, two gas rings for either heavy or light loads and an easy takedown system.
The FN P-12 pump shotgun marks FN America’s long-awaited reentry into the pump shotgun market. The P-12 sports a 5+1 capacity and premium matte black finish over anodized aluminum. At 18 inches in length, the Belgian-made cantilever barrel is fully chrome-lined for long life and added corrosion resistance. The barrel is factory installed with an Improved Cylinder stainless steel choke tube. Interchangeable Standard Invector choke tubes are offered as accessories. The FN P-12 also comes with a fiber-optic front sight and flip-up iron sight for rapid target acquisition as well as a Weaver rail for mounting optics.
Mossberg now offers a series of three new hunting/security shotgun combinations with interchangeable forends, stocks, recoil pads and barrels, all in a soft-side nylon carrying case with pockets for accessories and ammunition. The FLEX TLS (Tool-less Locking System) components are designed with patented connectors for quick, easy modularity. The FLEX TLS provides an all-in-one source of hunting/security/home protection so a shooter can a have long-barreled hunting shotgun as well as a pistol-gripped short-barreled slug or home-defense shotgun.
Utilizing the proven Remington Versaport technology with the addition of pressure-compensating valves in each gas chamber to further reduce recoil and optimize performance across all 3-inch shotshells, the revolutionary V3 easily digests various ammunition unlike any other semi-auto shotgun. The V3 uses a short-stroke piston that allows for a more compact gas system located directly forward of the receiver with no recoil spring extending into the stock. The V3 truly is awesome and is everything a semi-auto shotgun should be. Three variants of the Field Sport are currently available: walnut, synthetic camo and synthetic black.
Known for years as a top choice of American hunters and clay shooters for its rugged construction, Ruger has reintroduced the Red Label over/under. The shotgun now features refined inner workings, a new center of gravity and reduced recoil, making it lively in the hand and even more pleasurable to shoot. These improvements make the new Red Label shotgun the perfect choice for hunting upland game, waterfowling, sporting clays, skeet or even just informal clay target shooting with family. Built by American workers in American factories, the Ruger Red Label shotgun is another 100-percent American-made product from Ruger.
SRM Arms has developed a line of semi-automatic shotguns for both civilian and LE use. The company has also created full-auto versions capable of up to four-round bursts before twisting the quad magazine to introduce another full tube of ammo. The controls of the SRM shotguns can be placed on the right or left sides of the receiver, and each has a roller-delayed action to provide fast cycling and reduced felt recoil. SRM shotguns also have Picatinny rails at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock to allow multiple options for lights and sights.
The Stevens 555 over/under, made by Savage Arms, is affordable, well-balanced and stylish. Available in several gauges—12, 20, 28 and .410—the 555 has a lightweight alloy receiver as well as a beautifully finished walnut stock and forend. Both barrels are chrome-lined and feature choke tubes for fast, easy cleaning and long-lasting corrosion resistance. It comes with a single selective trigger, a tang-mounted safety and five screw-in choke tubes.
Stoeger Industries has taken its M3000 line to the next level with the creation of the M3K. This 3-Gun shotgun can deliver the goods without breaking the bank. Like all Stoeger semi-auto shotguns, the heart of the M3K is its Inertia Driven operating system, making it among the fastest cycling, most reliable shotguns in the world. The M3K comes with an oversized anodized aluminum bolt release, an oversized safety and an extended tactical-style anodized aluminum bolt handle. In addition, the M3K features a custom, elongated carrier and an enlarged, beveled loading port for quicker and easier reloading. The shotgun has a 24-inch barrel and a 4+1 capacity.
Based on Eugene Stoner’s AR pattern is the new XTR 12 semi-automatic shotgun that can digest 2¾- and 3-inch shells from two-, five-, seven- and 10-round box magazines. The XTR 12 has all the familiar AR controls and is gas operated with a rotating bolt. It also features a barrel threaded to accept different chokes. The XTR 12 comes in black, OD green and desert tan and has a full-length 12 o’clock Picatinny rail to accept any sort of iron, reflex or optical sighting system.
Wilson Combat’s Scattergun Technologies defensive shotguns have earned an enviable reputation as some of the best in the world. The multi-purpose shotgun, with the variety of ammunition available, may well be the most potent firearm in your arsenal. From the reliable pump action to Wilson’s famous TRAK-LOK Ghost Ring Sight System, the Scattergun Technologies shotguns are truly state of the art. Each model is enhanced with an enlarged safety, a high-performance magazine spring and a high-visibility follower. Current models include the 12-gauge Standard, Border Patrol and Professional, as well as the Remington Steal kit to overhaul previously used Remington shotguns.
Shotguns are extremely versatile because they can fire several types of loads, from buckshot to birdshot, beanbags, slugs and more. Shotguns also come in various styles, from pump actions to semi-autos to double-barrel models for classic hunting. One shotgun can serve well in a variety of roles, and manufacturers today are making some of the best scatterguns available. Here are some of the best new home defense shotguns hitting the market.
